Aspiration Pneumonia Prevention For The Elderly Disabled People

By Virginia Ward


Aspiration refers to the inhalation of gastric or even the orophryngeal content in the lower section of respiration tract. Patients who spend most of their lives under Long-term care facilities commonly known as LTC have indicated to possibly have a threefold greater risk of aspiration than those other individuals in the society. There are several recommended strategies which can be effectively applied in the aspiration pneumonia prevention.

Although there exists several treatment guidelines especially for the aged who have lower infections exists, a call for more emphasis on aspiration prevention should be keenly considered with regards to the aged adults as deaths which are associated with this kind of disease may actually be staggering in this kind of vulnerable population.

This therefore implies that mouth brushing is not only a significant process in inhibiting dental carriers together with gum boils but it is also viewed as a good process in enhancement of swallowing reflex. Mouth stimulation demands limited duration of time and effort as well when compared to legs and arms. All what is basically required is just a limited stimulus.

Sitting position is also another strategy which can be possibly applied in the curving this kind of disorder. Gastroesophageal reflux has been viewed to be common generally, but most commonly found in the aged individuals. It been observed that almost one third of older people possess intermittent symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux. Additionally position of supine especially due to increased aspiration of the gastric content in the lungs can possibly lead to pneumonia to patients on mechanical ventilation.

Advanced age has been suggested to basically represent a very independent risk factor specifically for dysphagia. With healthy aging even, there is possibility of physical toll on the neck together with head as well and the changes to both neural and physiologic mechanisms that basically support swallowing. This kind of condition is mostly managed by an interdisciplinary approach that mostly involves nursing assistants and the staff, dietitians, speech language pathologists, together with physicians working in tandem.

These are some of the common behaviors which tend to be very common to those individuals whom have condition known as dementia and some other impairment. But even with this dementia condition, a major strategy which has been actually proposed to minimize the risk of hastening these kinds of behaviors is by properly enhancing communication with those residents before trying oral care.

Another strategy which can be effectively applied is basically neuroleptics avoidance. Sedative drugs can be successfully used in suppressing cough reflex. However it has been suggested that suppression of reflex cough by sedative hypnotics, analgesic narcotics or even anesthesia can be a great risk for aged people suffering from this kind of problem specifically when they are sleeping.

This seems like patronizing and it tends to significantly underestimate the abilities of the aged person. Educating the LTC staff is another important strategy to apply in oral care and in addressing accountability. Those nursing home staff usually tends to have little education with regards on how to effectively offer oral care to their clients and also the importance of providing such oral care. Studies have revealed that training the nursing home care staff can help to enhance oral care among those nursing home care individuals.




About the Author: